Concierge at the Wilderness Lodge

[Pienut]

Just booked a last minute trip to Wilderness lodge for myself and DD (our first girls week away!) and I have to report that the concierge service is SO very helpful!! As soon as I booked I emailed all my requests along with my confirmation number and they got right back to me, made some suggestions and have been in touch almost daily checking in.

In my opinion concierge can be significantly more expensive at times but having someone there that will cheerfully help you along is very worth it. Our last trip was at AKL on the concierge and they too were fantastic! It was hard not to just return there but we've always wanted to stay at the WL.
disney here we come

 

[Tikiman]

The WL concierge that contacts you and takes care of things before you arrive is actually the Polynesian Island Planning office because the WL does not have what Disney calls a “full concierge” so you are in good hands.

 

[Buzz's_girl]

How much more is the concierge? We are heading to WL in a few weeks...can I ask at check in for the upgrade or should I call now? I need two connecting rooms, one fore me and Dh, and one for the 3 kids can they do this on the concierge level? What are the perks?

 

[ziggystardust]

We returned back from WL concierge about a month ago, (wish I was still there). We ended up getting a coupon code so I believe that the room cost $250ish as opposed to the no coupon code rate of $350 ish (I say ish b/c I can't recall exactly)

I have to say its something everyone should do at least once. B/C of the planning office we were able to snag an illuminations cruise that I might not have been able to get a long with a whole bunch of other wonderful PSs. Plus its less stress. I still booked some things on my own, b/c I love to call Disney but it was definatly worth it.

I would do it ahead of time to take advantage of the Planning services.

Plus the option to eat there, we were always snacking on the way to the rom or from the room. I loved it!

 

[SeaSpray]

I just changed our woodsview room at the WL to concierge, 2 days ago. We aren't going until July. Will they contact me, or do I need to contact them, regarding PSs and other reservations I'd like?? Thanks

 

[floridafam]

They should contact you regarding your stay but you can always phone them or e-mail them to get things started. I've had a little trouble with the Itinerary Planning folks for WL CL but I think they are trying to work the bugs out. WL should have theirr own IPO staff, IMHO.

They do offer full concierge service with continental breakfast, afternoon snacks, wine/cheese/other food in the evenings and desserts and cordials at the end of the day.

The rooms are the same size as the other rooms at WL-they could be bigger but I don't see that happening anytime soon.

They are due to begin construction on a new lounge area shortly that will offer a tv and more seating. The CM's said it should be completed by our May visit.

Here is my trip report from Christmas.
www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=705059

I've been hard on WL CL in the past because they seem very slow paced and not too fancy but I've begun to realize that those are probably good things. WL CL is fairly small so there aren't usually a ton of people up on CL, even when they are booked. The food offerings are "cozy"-apple crisp, cobbler, brownies, etc. in the evenings. The food goes along very well with the theming of the hotel.

The CM's are very nice. They delivered a huge basket of Vanilla Coke after I asked if there was anywhere to get one for him. When we were checking out, the CM said she's going to have the fridge in our suite stocked with Vanilla Coke when we return in May. I thought this was way above and beyond.

Enjoy.

 

[SeaSpray]

floridafam:

Thanks so much for the info I think I'll wait a while and see if they contact me first, but if I don't hear from them by March (90 days out is early April and I want some specific PSs), I will contact them myself.

I had already read your report and enjoyed all the details you included. (Sorry about your DH's grandfather). I am impressed that they got you some Vanilla Coke! Now *that* is what I call pampering and service. Also what they did to cheer up your kids was really very nice of them too.

 

[BabyMo]

We stayed there in September 2003 for my birthday week. DH and I went with his parents. We had a blast. We had breakfast there every morning, they gave us water every day for the parks, we had snacks in the afternoon before dinner- and extra soda for the room. They helped with PSes- some at the last minute.

For my birthday, they gave me a small cake and they got a signed picture of Baloo for me.

I've been spoiled for life.

 

[Pienut]

I contacted them immediately. Don't wait!

 

[TammiMcMan]

How much more is the concierge? We are heading to WL in a few weeks...can I ask at check in for the upgrade or should I call now? I need two connecting rooms, one fore me and Dh, and one for the 3 kids can they do this on the concierge level? What are the perks?

If you decide to take a chance and wait until check-in to request an upgrade, you might have it offered for less money. The only problem I can forsee is with your request for connecting rooms. You'll be in the reservation system for 2 standards and therefore concierge might not be able to accomodate you as a walk in (so to speak). Plus, you'd be missing out on one of the best perks of concierge, which is their assistance with pre-planning. With one phone call or one e-mail, they can take care of all your priority seating arrangements, entertainment, recreation, etc. You would still have the concierge lounge offerings, but other than breakfast, they are really only snacks and supplemental. Not meant to be a full meal. And of course, they keep their concierge desk staffed daily from 7am-10pm and they can assist you with any last minute arrangements that you'd like to make. I would just be concerned about the connecting rooms not being available unless you were already in their system.